Tyrus Thomas, who will be shopped, rebounded from picking up a foul 12 seconds after tipoff to fare well in a high-profile matchup with Kevin Garnett with a team- and season-high 24 points.

Joakim Noah, who definitely will return, continued to flash moments of promise and finished with eight rebounds, three steals and three assists.

Larry Hughes, who likely will be back because of the albatross that is his contract, missed all six of his shots, scored two points without a rebound or assist and didn't play in the fourth quarter.

Interim coach Jim Boylan, who isn't expected to retain the job, knows the value of trading for a big-name player. And his answer was directed toward the Celtics' acquisition of Garnett, not Hughes.

"When you can go out and get a so-called superstar, a guy who can bring a certain level of greatness to your team, it makes everyone else's job easier," Boylan said. "At certain times when a play needs to be made, that guy is ready to make it for you.

"That relieves the burden on a lot of people. It allows them to relax and be more efficient. If there's a way for us to secure somebody like that, it would make a huge difference to our team."

The Bulls actually were within six early in the fourth quarter and within 95-87 late when James Posey and Ray Allen drained three-pointers on consecutive possessions. Overall, the Celtics sank an opponent-season-high 14 shots from beyond the arc, an area the Bulls have struggled to defend all season.

Allen's 22 points led Boston, which also received 20 points, seven rebounds and countless focused stares from Garnett.

Garnett's energy, intensity and skill are major reasons the Celtics have rebounded from an Eastern Conference-low 24 wins last season. He also has helped set a tone of accountability, something the Bulls used to have.

Now, they merely reside in the land of moral victories.

"I know we're in a situation where everyone is wondering how we're going to play and I think we showed people how," Boylan said. "We're going to play that way, with effort, all the way through the season.

"We have guys in that locker room who care about the game and respect the game. It was a loss. We're not pleased about that. But I can't fault the effort. It showed a lot about their character."